Ruthie Foster at the Dakota
We got to see Ruthie Foster play at the Dakota tonight. She did a solo set — just her and her guitar named Pearl. We hadn’t seen Foster play before but my Mom is a big fan of hers and I can see why. Her songs were amazing and she added so much with the stories behind them as well. I could have kept listening for another hour easily. What a great musician. 🎶

First time at a TEDxMinneapolis event! Looking forward to tonight’s speakers at Orchesta Hall.

Sunset on Sugar Lake.

We finished watching Season 1 of Stick tonight. We all enjoyed it a lot and thought it was a wonderful story and show. Looking forward to the next season.

We have significantly increased our escape room activity in 2025! Just past half-way through the year and we are already at 23 and 82 total since 2016. 🤩

QMSB Trip - Day 16
- Check out of Baymont in Mandan.
- Coffee stop at Joyhouse before leaving town.
- Stop for gas and Culver’s in Fargo.
- 11:23 AM enter Minnesota.
- Stop at Cocoa Maas in Monticello for delicious Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream.
- Back home in Minneapolis! 🏠
Go to day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or see index.
A smattering of my cousins that were at Amanda & Reid’s wedding tonight.

QMSB Trip - Day 15
✅ Quebec ✅ Montreal ✅ Stowe ✅ Bismarck
- Tammy and Mazie go on independent runs around Downtown Fargo.
- Jamie goes to Youngblood Coffee Roasters for a coffee.
- Check out of Jasper Hotel.
- Breakfast at Prairie Kitchen.
- Drive to Bismarck, ND.
- Stop for lunch at Fireflour.
- Explore downtown Bismarck: Anima Cucina, The Capital Gallery, and Brick Oven Bakery.
- Escape Room at Breakout ND.
- Amanda & Reid wedding reception at Baymont in Mandan and see a lot of my relatives! 🥳
Go to day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or see index.
Gemini Quantum Quest @ Breakout ND
We all stopped at Breakout ND today in Bismarck to do the Gemini Quantum Quest game. The game is a split-start so Mazie and Tyler went to one place and Tammy and I to another. After getting through the initial puzzles we joined forces and saved the space station with 11m 15s still on the clock! Room 82!

Nice way to start the day at Youngblood Coffee in Fargo, ND.

QMSB Trip - Day 14
- Tammy and Mazie go for a morning walk around Fergus Falls.
- Breakfast at Toast Cafe: Swedish Pancakes, Frikkadiller Toast (Swedish Meatballs), French Toast, Avocado Toast, and Fluffernutter to share.
- Drive to Prairie Wetlands Learning Center.
- Walk trail at Prairie Wetlands.
- Drive back to Fergus Falls downtown.
- Explore stores: Fergus Apothecary, Biffley’s & Dragon’s Den, Wildflour Bakery, Dahlia’s, Kaddatz Galleries, Dutchmen Organics, and The Bric.
- Drive to Fargo.
- 2:31 PM Enter North Dakota.
- Stop at Culver’s for chicken tenders.
- Time Machine room at Puzzled Escape Rooms.
- Walk around downtown Fargo. Jamie gets a delicious coffee drink at Youngblood Coffee Roasters. Tammy and Mazie visit The Nines and Proper while Tyler and Jamie go to Paradox Comics-n-Cards and buy a couple of Pokémon packs.
- Jamie and Tyler get Macrons at Bakehouse 23.
- Dinner at Beer & Fish Company. Mazie’s favorite dessert.
- We stop at Ferguson Books after dinner and pick up “My Friends” by Fredrik Backman. Mazie realizes how expensive hard cover books are when you don’t buy them on amazon.
- Fill up water bottles at Jasper Hotel.
- Jamie and Tyler get Rolled Ice Ice cream at Tea + Crepe.
- Stop at Silver Lining Creamery on the way back to the hotel. Tammy gets salted caramel and Jamie gets German Chocolate Cake ice cream to share.
- Really enjoyable elevator ride and feet up in hotel room. :D
Go to day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or see index.
Lovely day for a Guinness.

Loved this find in downtown Fargo — #FARGOMARIOWALL.

Tracks in Fargo, ND.

Tyler and I stopped by Paradox Comics-n-Cards and got the last two packs they had — Pokémon Surging Sparks. Lots of bulk.

Delightful Nitro Oat Latte at Youngblood Coffee Roasters in Fargo, ND. This place has their coffee situation dialed in right. 👏☕️

Time Machine at Puzzled Escape Rooms
We arrived in Fargo today and made our way to Puzzled Escape Rooms and did their Time Machine room. The room had a lot of locks and codes to figure out. We started with uncovering a lot of different items in the room and then had to figure out where to get started. The beginning was probably the hardest point. As is often the case there were a couple of things that made me “face palm” that we missed it. Others we connected the dots but didn’t know what to do with it until the puzzle showed up and we were able to clear it very fast. Overall a fun room but an older style room that is heavy code and lock based. Room 81!

We had a nice walk this morning around the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center just outside of Fergus Falls.
QMSB Trip - Day 13
- 12:53 PM: Start drive to Alexandria, MN. 23 minutes late.
- Up North Ice Cream for some delicious house made ice cream.
- Escape Room Alexandria to do the Mad Scientist room.
- Talked to owner of escape room and shared as well as received a bunch of recommendations.
- Drove to Fergus Falls.
- Check-in to Mill Boutique Hotel which has just opened. We are one of the first guests.
- Dinner at Union Avenue. Really impressive meals. The pasta was exceptional.
- Walk along the Otter Tail River.
- Return to hotel for the night.
Go to day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or see index.